IKEA Solar Presence in U.S. Approaches 85% with Plans to Install
Solar Panels on Five Locations in Midwestern U.S.

January 12, 2012 06:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--IKEA, the world’s leading home furnishings retailer, today announced
plans to install solar energy panels on five more of its United States
locations – all of them in the Midwestern U.S. Pending governmental
permits, installation can begin this Winter, with completion expected in
Summer 2012. Implementation of these projects will extend the IKEA solar
presence to nearly 85% of its U.S. locations. Collectively, the five
stores will total 4.8 megawatts (MW) of solar generating capacity,
approximately 20,400 panels, and an annual output of 5.62 million
kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity – the equivalent to reducing 4,273
tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) – equal to eliminating the
emissions of 760 cars or providing electricity for 484 homes yearly
(calculating clean energy equivalents at http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-resources/calculator.html).

This investment by IKEA reinforces the company’s long-term commitment to
sustainability and confidence in photovoltaic (PV) technology. IKEA will
own and operate each of its solar PV energy systems atop its buildings –
as opposed to a solar lease or PPA (power purchase agreement) – now
including its two Chicago-area stores (Bolingbrook and Schaumburg), as
well as stores in Bloomington, MN, Canton, MI and Pittsburgh, PA, listed
below with approximate system statistics and corresponding clean energy
equivalents:

IKEA already has 12 U.S. solar energy systems operational with 20 more
underway. Installing solar panels atop these five locations will
increase the company’s U.S. solar presence to nearly 85% and will result
in a total generating capacity of 31.6 MW in the U.S. “We are pleased
that solar energy systems already have proven successful at IKEA
locations and are thrilled we now can complete the solar coverage of all
our Midwestern stores,” said Mike Ward, IKEA U.S. president. “With only
44 locations nationwide, we try to contribute whenever and wherever
possible to creating a better everyday life for the many. So – from a
sustainability perspective – we are open to ideas for incorporating key
environmental technologies and look forward to considering other
opportunities as they arise too.”

IKEA, drawing from its Swedish heritage and respect of nature, believes
it can be a good business while doing good business and reflects a
business and operating model designed to minimize impacts on the
environment. Globally, IKEA evaluates locations for energy conservation
opportunities, integrates innovative materials into product design,
works with Global Forest Watch to maintain sustainable resources, and
flat-packs goods for efficient distribution. Specific U.S. sustainable
efforts include: recycling waste material (paper, wood, plastic, etc.);
incorporating environmental measures into the construction of buildings,
such as energy-efficient HVAC and lighting systems, recycled
construction materials, skylights in warehouse areas, and water
conserving restrooms; and operationally, eliminating plastic bags from
the check-out process, phasing out the sale of incandescent light bulbs
and facilitating recycling of customers’ compact fluorescent bulbs.
Also, IKEA is installing solar panels atop many of its U.S. locations
and EV charging stations at nine western stores.

For the Pittsburgh store, IKEA contracted with REC Solar, an
industry-leading solar power provider specializing in grid-tied
residential, commercial and government installations, with more than
7,000 systems built nationwide. REC Solar already has installed systems
at other IKEA locations, and currently is implementing solar PV programs
at additional IKEA locations. For the four other locations, IKEA
contracted with SoCore Energy, one of the largest commercial solar
developers in the Midwest and developer of more than 65 commercial scale
PV installations across the U.S. SoCore provides some of the largest
retailers, municipalities, and commercial property owners with unique
solar solutions.

IKEA strives to be ‘The Life Improvement Store,’ and since its 1943
founding in Sweden, has offered home furnishings of good design and
function, at low prices so the majority of people can afford them. There
are currently more than 330 IKEA stores in 40 countries, including 38 in
the U.S. IKEA incorporates sustainable efforts into day-to-day business
and supports initiatives that benefit children and the environment. For
more information, go to IKEA-USA.com.

Contacts

IKEAJoseph Roth, U.S. Public Affairs610-834-0180,
Ext. 6500

Release Summary

IKEA announced plans to install solar energy panels on five more of its United States locations – all of them in the Midwestern U.S., extending IKEA's solar presence to to nearly 85% in the U.S.